Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-02-12
hands


the conflicting emotions that rose in her ct the sight
OF the bracelet at the reading Of the note Her head
dropped, and the tears filled her eyes "Are all wo.
men as blind as | have been TO what Is good and
noble in the men who love them1 she wondered,
sadly. "Better as It is" she thought with bitter
sigh; 81 am not worthy Of him."
AS she took up the pencil to write her answer TO
Moody on the back Of her dinner card the servant
appeared again at the door OF the tent.
my master wants you at the cottage. miss, imme.
dlately."
Isabel rose putting the bracelet and the note in the
silver-mounted leather pocketbook 10 present from
Hardyman) which hung at her belt. In the hurry Of
passing round the table to get out she noticed
that her dress touched Hardyman's pocketbook,
placed closed TO the edge, and threw IL down the
grass below. The book fell into one OF the heat
cracks which Lady Lydiard had noticed evidence
OF the neglected condition OF the cottage lawn.
"You ought to hear the pleasant news my sister
has just brought me-" said Hardyman, when Isabel
Joined him in the parlor MRS. Drumblade has been
told, the best authority, that my mother is not
coming to the party"
There must be reason OF course, dear Isabel y
added Mrs. Drumblade Have you any idea Of what
1t can bef haven't seenmy mother myself, and all
my inquiries have failed TO find II out"
She looked searchingly at Isabel she spoke. The
mask Of sympathy on her face was admirably worn.
Nobody who possessed only superficial acquaint.
ance with Mrs. Drumblade's character would have
suspected how thoroughly she enjoying In secret
the position of embarrassment in which her news
whether Mrs. Drumblade's friendly behavior was
quite sincere as appeared to be- Isabel answered
that she was stranger to Lady Rotherfeld, and was
therefore quite at loss to explain the cause Of her
ladyship's absence As she spoke, the guests began
to arrive in quick succession and the subject was
dropped, as matter of course.
1t was not merry party. Hardyman's approach.
I'M; marriage had been made the topic Of much mali
cous gossip, and Isabels character had, as usual In
zach become the object OF all the false reports
that scandal could invent. Lady Rotherfelds alb.
bence confirmed the general conviction that Hardy.
man was disgracing himself. The men were all more
or less uneasy. The women resented the discovery
that Isabel was personally speaking at least beyond
the reach OF hostile criticism Her beauty viewed
as downright offense her refined and modest man.
pers were set down as perfect acting-"Really dis
gushing. my dear, in so young q girl" Gen. Drum.
blade-a large and moldy veteran, in a state OF
chronic establishment latter his own matrimonial ex.
perience) at Hardyman's folly in marrying at all
dlffused a wide circle Of gloom wherever he went
and whatever he did His accomplished wife, forcing
her high spirits everybody's attention with sort
OF kittenish playfulness, intensified the depressing
effect of the general dizziness by all the force OF the
strongest contrast. After waiting half hour for
his mother, and waiting in vain Hardyman led the
way to the tent in despair. The sooner NIL their
stomachs and get rid Of them, he thought savagey,
''the better shall be pleased"
The luncheon was attacked by the company with q
certain silent ferocty which the walters noticed az
remarkable, even in their large experience. The
drank deeply, but with wonderfully little effect
in raising their spirits; the women with the excep
ton OF amiable Mrs Drumblade, kept Isabel deber.
ately out OF the conversation that went among
them Cen Drumblade, sitting next to her In one of
the places of honor dscoursed TO Isabel privately
my brotherinlaw Hardyman's Internal temper
young marquis, on her other side-a mere lad,
chosen TO make the necessary speech in acknowledge
inent of his superior rankrose In state OF nervous
REPUTATION propose sabel's health the chosen
bride of their host Pale and trembling conscious OF
having forgotten the words which he had learned be-
fnrahand this unhanny nOhlamau
Ladies and gentlemen haven't idea" He
stopped put his hand 10 his head stared wildly and
sat down again, having contrived to state hts own
case with mastery brevity and perfect truth In o
speech OF seven words.
While the dismay in some cases and the amuse
ment In others still at its height, Hardyman's
valet made his appearance. and approaching his mas
ter, said In whisper: "COuld speak 10 you SIR for
moment outsider
what the devil do you wantr' Hardyman asked,
irrisaby. is that q letter in your handi Give 10
to me-"
The valet was a Frenchman. In other words, he
had sense Of what was due TO himself His master
had forgotten this He gave UP the letter with q
certain dignity Of manner, and left the tent Hardy
man opened the letter He turned pale az he read It.
crumpled II In his hand, and threw II down on the
table by Cd it's q lie!" he exclaimed, furiouEiy.
The guests rose In confusion. Mira Drumblade,
finding the letter within her reach. cooily possessed
herself of II. recognized her mothers handwriting,
II have only now succeeded In persuading your
father to let me write to you. For Gods sake break
on your marriage at any sacrifice Your father has
heard on unanswerable authority. that Miss Isabel
Miller left her situation in Lady Lydiards house on
suspicion of theft"
While his sister was reading this letter Hardyman
had made his way 20 Isabes chair. 81 must speak 70
you directly" he whispered. Come away with me
He turned ~ he took her arm. and looked at the
table. where is my letter. he asked Mrs Drum
blade handed Il 10 him dextrously crumpled an
again as she had found II.
mo bad news. dear Alfred, I hopei" she said IN
her most affoctionets manner Hsrdyman snatched
the letter from her. without answering, and led
Isabel out OF the tent.
Read thst." he said, when they were alone
'and tell me at once whether IT'S true or faisas
Isabel read the letter. For a moment the shock Of
the discovery held her speechlesA she recovered
herself. and returned the letter.
1T IL true she answered.
Hardyman staggered back a. n she had shot him
True that you dire galltyf' he asked.
mo; am innocent Everybody who knows me Be-
lieTes IN my innocsnee MS true that me appear
Ances were against me. Thsy ars against me sfiii
Having said this she waited quietly and firmly for
bis nsxt words r-
He passed his hand over his forehead with slsa q